seeing with fresh eyes

Believe in Your Journey

I’ve enjoyed my 3 days back in my art world this week. I do so love our kids but with them back at school this week I feel I can get to all the things that are vying for attention in my head.

‘Believe in your Journey’ emerged from my studio this week and I’m so thrilled to be able to offer prints of it on etsy with a couple of my other recent collage pieces.

Here’s the story… I was happily pulling things together for a photo shoot of my prints, something I love to do and reminds me of my time at Myer in the Visual Merchandising Dept. I’d actually finished taking photos and was putting everything back where it was when I saw all the ‘special stuff’ I had piled on one piece of furniture. It’s all important, special bracelet that was a gift, special necklace, a brooch passed down through family….. it was all special!

I decided that loads of special stuff doesn't make the space more special. It just becomes ‘stuff’. So I pared it down, tidied up and put away. My hubby would be so pleased. He is a minimalist, who loves clear lines and absolutely no clutter or collections. I have no doubt that living with me, the collector is a challenge…. one that we continually work on to make sure we are both happy.

So here is the after shot. And I love looking at this now. My new favourite print, my black velvet cylinder purse that I use to hold my jewelry, my special family brooch, my grandmas perfume bottle, my rings, my badge from the workshop I took with Laurie Mika ...

Now it feels clean and clear and I love that energy as I pass by it. Fresh eyes my friends, fresh eyes.

appreciating my arty world

a heart drawing I found in my art cupboard

Today is an amazingly perfect day!

We have had a lovely Easter, we've been away, had some loving family stay with us and enjoyed school holidays.I've had some time off line with all that's been going on, with some computer challenges thrown into the mix. But we're all feeling refreshed, eaten huge amounts of chocolate and had a great time together, ready for the next adventure.

My day has started with the kids back at school, pouring rain that makes me feel SO creatively inspired and my computer is back and up to date with a new printer/scanner to learn how to use.

Today I am appreciating my creative space + my artsy world...and you?

Planning for success during school holis!

my daughters craft project. one of many over school holis

It’s coming up Easter and my 13 yr old and 10 yr old are on school holidays. I love the fact that I have the flexibility to be with them during school holis, but I do plan for it to be a success, so that everyone gets what they want.

I’ve found as they are now a bit older they are happy to do their own thing, they still want to play games (wii or something tech based) with me, watch movies with me (yes its been raining) or just be in my company. I love that they still want to hang with me, but I still need my own space. Our family doesn’t live any where nearby, and whilst the kids have friends they could go to, I’ve found they are happy to be home having some down time.

So here’s how I approach school holidays….

• Plan very little creative work during this time. Really this alleviates frustration on my behalf and if an opportunity does arise that they have a day out with friends then I make the most of it with some planned project.
• I do plan a ‘to do’ list where I’m ok with interruptions..
• Set myself any due dates to be completed before holidays start
• I also use this time to rejuvenate. Sleep in, hang in my pj’s for a morning, tidy up the studio…And I rejuvenate mentally too. It’s a great time to rethink and start mental prep for the next 2 months. Whilst these holidays are short, I’m using the energy to gain momentum to go full steam ahead when the kids return to school.
• I do set up some time (like an hour or so) during the day to do priority things. As I’ve been around for the kids for the most part they are happy to let me do my thing.
• I find during school holis that the inspiration may hit me during the middle of the night, like the night before. I got up and wrote for about 1hr and a half. Knowing I can have a bit of a sleep in the next day takes the pressure off and allows the words to flow.
• I always ask them what’s on their list to do during holis. And what’s the one thing they’d most like to do, and make sure it happens. That way they feel like they get to do something cool and I know what’s a priority.

We’ve been away last weekend for a family function, this Easter weekend we have family staying with us and then the kids shall be back at school before they know it. With a few school projects to be completed in between the holidays are quickly marching by.

At this stage of our family it seems to be working …a wise friend said to me

“If you give your kids undivided attention for 10 minutes, they’ll give you half an hour of peace in return”.

So here’s to everybody getting what they want.

Autumn Hearts

Tex & Joe Autumn Heart

ok, so you know how much I love hearts..anything heart shaped and lovely. my hubby tells me I'm obsessed.but hey what a great thing to be obsessed with! I love its universal symbolism.

Look at this gorgeous felt heart from Tex & Joe, made from a wool blend and hand sewn. And filled with a fibre made from recycled plastic bottles. Take yourself for a wonder through this lovely site...truly some beautiful treasures!

Lovefest of Hearts

My Heart

Here are the beautiful hearts I received from a Heart swap I was part of in Feb with some of the Australian Art Sisters group. Truly the amount of loving creativity that has gone into them is amazing. Maybe you can get a feel for the details and texture through the close up pics.

Jacky Williams

Kasha Rolley

Margaret

Sue Smith

Vanessa Henry

Debbi Baker

Gaye Todd

Thanks girls for a fabulous love fest of heart creating!

the power of words

this lovingly arrived in my inbox this morning....its worth watching.

marvellous, fabulous, unbelievable things

Self Love ~ Inspiration Avenue

"marvellous things will start happening to you,

fabulous, unbelievable things -

and you will never be miserable again in your life."

James and the Giant Peach. Roald Dahl

my creative motor has had an overhaul

I've given myself a few days off. some time at a slower pace. I've had a number of due dates to get things done and they are all up to date. In the last little while I've updated my etsy shop, my flickr page, reworked my bio, prepared info for Lia at OM and developed some new workshops. After these were all done and dusted I knew it was time to step back a little and catch my breath, recharge and renew.

I've been in the place of burnt out before. When I first started painting I took on doing 2 solo exhibitions, with new work for each, within 6months of each other. I walked away from my second solo feeling deflated and questioning if I was on the right path. That lead to some major soul searching that was all good, but I recognize the value of looking after myself and my creativity.

I've been having some r+r, chai lattes and white choc + macadamia cookies, sleeping more, time away from the computer, magazine browsing, long conversation with friends on the phone and journaling. Now I feel ready to kick this creative machine over again and get the wheels turning with a renewed focus and clear direction.

Burning your creative motor out just isn't worth it.And if you've experienced it you know what I'm talking about.. I've had my grease and oil change and am gearing up for some more exciting, stretching creative motoring.

I'm doing what I love...

Today part of my story is featured on Beth Nicholl's blog 'Do what you Love'. Beth inspired me with some thought provoking questions about my passion + my creativity. Pop on over for a read where you'll get some insight into how I feel about this amazing, yet challenging artistic journey. I'm in good company with an interview from Sarah Early, stationary designer and Monique Halley journal maker.

Huge thanks to Beth for sharing her space...

heart dance

My Heart Dance ~Inspiration Avenue

"The treasure that secretly gathers in your heart will become evident through your creative work" Albrecht Durer